Minimum Wage Increases for 2018

Governor Cuomo Announces Minimum Wage Increase to Take Effect on December 31st

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the minimum wage increase will take effect on December 31, 2018, rising to $15 for large employers in New York City and continuing to rise all across the state. The Governor also launched a Wage Theft Hotline (1-888-4-NYSDOL) for workers to report employers not complying with the increase. In coordination with the increase, the New York State Department of Labor will release a multimedia public education campaign to raise awareness about the new minimum wage.

“With the historic increase in the minimum wage, New York continues to set a national example in the fight for economic justice,” Governor Cuomo said. “In New York, we believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and are proud to be stepping up for hardworking families and making a real difference in the lives of New Yorkers. We won’t stop until every New Yorker is paid the fair wages they deserve.”

The launch of the public education campaign includes TV, digital, radio, and subway ads. The campaign reminds New Yorkers that all minimum wage workers across the state will receive a raise on December 31, and educates them about the steps they should take if they do not receive their raises. PSA video that will air on television is available here, and video for digital platforms is available here.

The New York State Department of Labor has established a hotline (1-888-4-NYSDOL) where minimum wage workers can call to report any employers who do not comply with the phase-in schedule.

General Minimum Wage Rate Schedule

Location

12/31/16

12/31/17

12/31/18

12/31/19

12/31/20

2021*

NYC – Big Employers (of 11 or more)

$11.00

$13.00

$15.00

NYC – Small Employers (10 or less)

$10.50

$12.00

$13.50

$15.00

Long Island & Westchester

$10.00

$11.00

$12.00

$13.00

$14.00

$15.00

Remainder of New York State Workers

$9.70

$10.40

$11.10

$11.80

$12.50

*

$15 Minimum Wage Phase-in

The $15 minimum wage legislation was passed as part of the 2016-17 state budget, and marked a major accomplishment in the Governor’s efforts to restore economic justice and fairness to working families in New York State. The phase-in schedule on a regional basis is as follows:

For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (those with at least 11 employees), the minimum wage rose to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2018.

For workers in New York City employed by small businesses (those with 10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage rose to $10.50 at the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $13.50 on 12/31/2018, rising to $15 on 12/31/2019.

For workers in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties, the minimum wage increased to $10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, reaching $12 on 12/31/2018, rising to $15 on 12/31/2021.

For workers in the rest of the state, the minimum wage increased to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another .70 each year after, rising to $11.10 on 12/31/18, reaching $12.50 on 12/31/2020 – after which the minimum wage will continue to increase to $15 on an indexed schedule to be set by the Director of the Division of Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.